Human Flourishing
Aristotle disagreed with the hedonism view that human flourishing is just pleasure. He believed that the ultimate goal of human existence is desirable and not for due to something else. In his critique, he referred to nature in drawing his knowledge. Aristotle believes that rational capacity separates animals from humans, noting that reasoning is the only human’s unique function. He argued that pleasure alone could not lead to happiness since the pursuit of pleasure drives animals, and human has greater capacities than animals. Aristotle also critiques that joy is just satisfying the desires and achieving your goals and getting what you want but instead believes in Eudaimonia. He argues that human work is to live a particular kind of life, and it implies man’s function is this noble performance. When any action is done well, it is done under the appropriate excellence hence happiness turning to be a soul activity per the virtue. On the subjective view of human happiness, Aristotle disagrees and considers ways of life with a perspective to which is best for human flourishing instead of the personal view.
Acquisition of more wealth does not guarantee happiness as this draws one from friends and family and leaves no time to enjoy the acquired money so instead leads to less human flourishing. Therefore wealth beyond basic needs is not a guarantee to human happiness. Being morally virtuous is necessary for complete human satisfaction as it creates inner happiness for doing what one feels is ethically right and no cause for conflict with oneself instincts. Friendship with God can be said to be the most necessary for human happiness. A relationship with God enables one to leave everything to the Maker through Jesus Christ, whether good or bad and therefore, nothing bothers to.